Copnor Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud to show the school's values of resilience, respect and teamwork.

These values are clear in how pupils work, behave and treat others. Staff and pupils have strong, caring relationships. This support helps pupils feel safe, known and valued, despite the large size of the school.

Pupils also take pride in shaping school life. For example, the school council introduced friendship benches to promote kindness at breaktimes.From the early years, children are taught to care for their well-being.

Even Reception pupils can talk about their feelings and ask for help, using tools like 'colour monsters' to understand emotions. Behaviour is excellent acros...s the school.Pupils enjoy a rich variety of planned experiences through their 'cultural passports'.

These include trips, visiting speakers and a gradual approach to preparing for residentials. A very high number of pupils take part in extra-curricular clubs and sporting activities, helping them to discover and develop their talents. Leaders remove barriers to participation, resulting in particularly high involvement from disadvantaged pupils.

Leaders have high aspirations for all pupils. Improvements they have made to the school since the previous inspection, such as in curriculum design and early reading teaching, reflect this ambition. As a result, pupils are well prepared for the next stage in their education.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Since the previous inspection, the school has made significant improvements to its curriculum. It is now ambitious and well sequenced. All subjects have a strong foundation in the early years.

Here, children develop both positive social and emotional skills alongside their learning. Staff focus closely on language development, encouraging children to explain their thinking. For example, when predicting and explaining why objects float or sink.

Children's secure achievement in the Reception year sets them up for future success.Teachers receive clear guidance to support their delivery of the curriculum. They present information in engaging ways that help pupils understand new ideas.

Regular checks on learning allow teachers to identify gaps and adapt teaching accordingly. Pupils revisit key content often, which helps them secure important knowledge and develop their skills. In many subjects, there is a well-embedded approach, which supports pupils' effective progress.

However, a small number of curriculum areas are still being refined. In these subjects, the work that pupils complete is not always sufficiently focused on helping them build the most important knowledge. As a result, they may not develop a secure understanding of key concepts in these areas.

The phonics programme is now well established and taught consistently. Staff quickly spot any pupils who are struggling to keep up with the programme and provide timely support. As a result, the number of pupils passing the phonics screening check has risen significantly.

The school also promotes reading for fluent readers using carefully chosen high-quality texts. Pupils value reading highly. They appreciate the school's multiple libraries and the outdoor 'reading shed', which they can visit at breaktimes.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. Staff identify needs accurately and ensure effective provision. The school works with external agencies where needed, helping pupils access learning and participate fully in school life.

Pupils show high standards of behaviour in both lessons and in the playground. There is a strong emphasis on teaching pupils to manage their own behaviour. Children in the early years develop skills, such as sharing and taking turns.

Older pupils know that they can access extra help from the school's 'regulation stations' when needed. The school has implemented an effective strategy to promote attendance, resulting in fewer pupils who are regularly absent.Pupils' broader personal development is a clear strength.

The school delivers a broad curriculum alongside carefully planned wider experiences. These help pupils understand themselves and the world around them. Pupils learn about looking after their own mental health and well-being, reflecting the school's strong pastoral approach.

Strong community links enhance learning meaningfully. For example, work with a local football team supports pupils' understanding of racism and equality. Pupils know the importance of celebrating differences and respecting others' views.

Pupils are clear that they are all equal and their school is a place they can be themselves.Leaders have successfully addressed the areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection. They have also strengthened other aspects of the school's work.

This shows their ambition for all pupils to be well prepared for their next steps, both in learning and more broadly. Governors share this ambition. They know the school well, check its work carefully and provide effective challenge and support.

Staff are proud to be part of the school's journey of improvement and enjoy working at the school. Parents and carers are positive about the support their children receive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Some areas of the curriculum are not as well established or consistently implemented as others. As a result, pupils do not build knowledge and skills securely over time in these subjects. The school should ensure that the work pupils complete is closely aligned with the intended content and skills in each subject, enabling effective progress across the curriculum.

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